South Africa have completely revamped their starting XV for the one‑off Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday, introducing thirteen fresh faces into the side. Only two players – lock Eben Etzebeth and wing Ethan Hooker – have retained their starting spots from the squad that secured a 43‑28 victory over the All Blacks in Baltimore, clinching the inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series with a 3‑1 win. Etzebeth, who will now stand as the most‑capped Springbok in history with 147 Test appearances, continues to anchor the second row. In the front row, the Boks will field a brand‑new combination: props Jan‑Hendrik Wessels and Zachary Porthen will partner hooker Johan Grobbelaar, offering a blend of youthful vigor and raw power.
The back‑line sees the return of two‑time World Cup champion fly‑half Handre Pollard, who has recovered from a calf injury and will now link up with a fully fit scrum‑half Herschel Jantjies, forming a fresh halves partnership that the coaching staff hopes will unlock new attacking avenues. Centre Andre Esterhuizen has been appointed captain for the match, becoming the 68th player to lead the Springboks.
His leadership will be crucial as the side navigates a massive reshuffle; only three members of the starting fifteen – wing Edwill van der Merwe, lock Paul de Villiers and prop Zachary Porthen – have fewer than ten Test caps, underscoring the depth of experience still present in the squad. Franco Mostert, who has not featured in a Test since the November encounter with Wales, is also back in the lineup, adding further solidity to the back row.
The coaching staff, led by Rassie Erasmus, explained that the changes are designed to counter the distinct style of play that Australia brings to the field. "Australia poses a completely different threat to New Zealand in the way they play, so we believe these combinations would be best suited for the challenge that we will face against them," Erasmus said. Erasmus also addressed the decision to allow seasoned veterans Pieter‑Steph du Toit and Damian de Allende to return home for a break.
Both players have endured a heavy workload over the past few months, and Erasmus felt they deserved time with their families after a demanding season. On the Australian side, head coach Les Kiss is expected to announce his XI on Friday. Reports suggest that dynamic centre Joseph Suaalii will start on the wing, adding further intrigue to the clash.
The match is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, 27 September, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. The final Springbok starting fifteen is as follows: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies; 1 Marco van Staden, 2 Elrigh Louw, 3 Paul de Villiers, 4 Franco Mostert, 5 Eben Etzebeth, 6 Zachary Porthen, 7 Johan Grobbelaar, 8 Jan‑Hendrik Wessels.
The bench includes Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu and Quan Horn. Erasmus highlighted the difficulty of the upcoming encounter, noting that Australia have been in good form, winning four of their last five matches and drawing only once against the Pumas in Argentina. "This is going to be a big challenge against a team that has been playing good rugby, and who have won four of their last five matches, with their other result being a draw against the Pumas in Argentina," he said. The extensive changes reflect a broader strategy by the Springboks to test squad depth ahead of future international commitments, while also giving emerging talent a chance to prove themselves on the world stage.
By blending seasoned campaigners like Etzebeth with newcomers such as Porthen and van der Merwe, South Africa aims to maintain a competitive edge and adapt to the evolving dynamics of modern rugby. The match in Perth will therefore serve as both a showcase of the Boks' evolving game plan and a critical assessment of how well the new combinations gel under pressure.